Oxygen tent for hospital bed patients



Jan. 18, 1955 I R. CAMETQ Y 2,699,775

. OXYGEN TENT FOR HOSPITAL BED PATIENTS Filed June 6, 1950 4 Shee'ts-Sheet l Ea n s n :i 22a I I I f u l 22 i.;

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Leon Robert Garnet@ Jan. 18, 1955 R, CAMETO 2,699,775

OXYGEN TENT FOR HOSPITAL BED PATIENTS Filed gune '6, 195o 4 sheets-sheet 2 Leon Robert Cometa lli/VENTO@ ATTR/VEY Jan. 18, 1955 Filed June 6, 1950 L.. R. CAME-ro 2,699,775 OXYGEN TENT FOR HOSPITAL BED PATIENTS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Leon Robert Corneta /Nvswron Jan. 18, 1955 L. R. cAMETo OXYGEN TENT FOR HOSPITAL BED PATIENTS Filed June e, 195o 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Lieon l Robert Cometa /N VE IV TOR A 7' TOR/VE Y United States Patent OXYGEN TENT FOR HOSPITAL BED PATIENTS Leon Robert Cameto, Oakland, Calif., assignor to Misto 2 Gen Equipment Co., Oakland, Calif., a corporation of California Application June 6, 1950, Serial No. 166,361 1s claims. (ci. 12s-191.1)

This invention relates to so-called oxygen tents used in hospitals and, more particularly to what may be termed the open type of tent which receives only the head, or the head and shoulders or more of the body less than the en- 'tire body in the present invention, in the oxygen conlining space of the tent. `Tents of this type are commonly secured to the head frame of the bed or to a suitable telescopic stand and the resultant position of the rim of the opening is at such a height above the floor upon which the bed is placed that attendants, including nurses, cannot readily reach the patients head, forthe purpose of attending to the needs of the patient for food, medicine, temperature taking, and the like.

It is one of the main objects of my invention to provide a tent of this character which can be partially collapsed so as to yield ready access to its interior, yet permit the maintenance of an adequate supply of oxygenized atmosphere for the patient for an indefinite period when collapsed or extended.

Tents of this general nature as heretofore used have been particularly awkward for the patient and attendant when the patient was placed with head, shoulders, and chest elevated in an inclined position. yIt is another of the objects of my invention to provide a tent which may be partially collapsed in such manner lthat the tent ac 'commodates itself to the needs of the patient when so elevated. i

The tent bags of this general nature as heretofore used for adults provide an opening for the passage of the head through the forward wall of the fabric bag and include Ia collar which closes about the` throat of the patient to form a seal or a partial seal to gen or excessive amounts of oxygen, through this opening. This type of seal produces discomfort to many patients, and often cannot be used with advantage.

4It is another of the main objects of my invention to prevent the escape of oxyprovide a tent which closes about the chest and shoulders f `L of` an adult patient, leaving a large free space for the throat within the throat passage and allowing for comfort of the patient whether inclined or horizontal, and lallowing the patient to lie on his side without injury to the tent or discomfort to himsel It is another object of my invention to provide a tent which can be read-ily accommodated to the varying sizes of patients, including infants, children, and adults, and which, in all cases occupies a minimum of space consistent with the need for effective treatment.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following specification wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a section through a tent;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of `a tent frame;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section at plane 3-'3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows, on a corresponding plane of Fig. l, a detail, and a similar detail taken at plane 4a-4a of Fig. l;

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate the use of the tent by and for an adult patient, in the horizontal and inclined Fig. 7 illustrates the use of the tent by and tant patient;

Fig. 8 illustrates the use patient;

Fig. 8a illustrates a method of closure `employed in Fig.

for an inof the tent by and for a junior posi-tions;

` wall 50,

" Fig. l

The tent frame comprises two side assemblies as shown in Fig. 2. Each side assembly includes a rigid frame part `formed by a rigid column 10, which is placed upright adjacen-t the head of a bed frame, and including a sill member 12 rigidly secured to column 10 at approximately right angles thereto for resting on the bed in a position projecting from the head toward the foot of the bed.

The two rigid frame parts are secured together in parallel spaced rela-tion, so as to provide a space for the patient between them, by two hollow tubes 14 and 16 which snugly receive in the ends thereof pins 18 which project perpendicularly from the rigid frame parts in the manner of the illustration in Fig. 4, the pins 18 in Fig. 2 corresponding to the pins 40 in Fig. 4, and extending into the tubes 14 and 16 in the same manner as the pins 40 ext-end into tube 38 in Fig. 4.

The balance of each of the frame side assemblies is yformed by three articulated links 20, 22, and 24. The link 20 forms an arm pivoted to the upper end of the rigid frame part as at 26 upon a forwardly projecting beam 28 in a manner to provide for its movement in a single vertical pl-ane. The links 22 and 24 form a leg having a pivotal knee joint at 30 and are respectively pivoted at their other ends to the free end of the arm 20 at 32 and to the free end of sill 12 at 34. The lower leg forming link 24 is constrained to rotate in a Vertical plane by its pivot 34 and pivots 30 and 32 provide for maintaining movements of link 22 in approximately a vertical p ane.

The link 22 may be formed of two parallel pieces 22a and 22b which receive the link 24 therebetween, and the three are held together at the knee pivot 30 by a suitable rivet or bolt. A stop pin 36 is secured to the upper leg link 22 in the path of the portion 38 extending from lower leg link 24.

Upon straightening the leg, the parts take an erect approximately straight line position as shown dotted in Fig. 2, being so supported by the pin 36 engaging stop 38 with the arm 20 in approximately horizontal position. In the fully bent position of the knee, the knee is disposed toward the head of the bed; that is, between pivot 34 and the column 10. The forward end of arm 20 is positioned at a point about mid-way between the fully erect tent rim and the bottom of the tent by the stoppage of the knee on the sill 12. Thus the forward en-d 21 of arm 20 is clear above the patient.

The forward ends of the arms 20 of the two side assemblies are separably joined together, and to enforce their joint simultaneous movement, by a tube 38 about equal in length to tubes 14 and 16. Pins 40 are rigidly secured to arms 22 in alignment with each other. The ends of tube 38 are provided with slots 42 in which pins 44 secured in pins 40 slide and prevent relative rotation of arms 20 about coaxial pivots 26. As shown, pins 40 also form the pivot at 32.

Each leg 22 has a crank handle 46 rigidly secured thereto with its axis parallel to the leg pivots. By grasping this knob rmly and exerting a torsional force on it, the necessary movement of the two sets of linkages is effected. Since the tube 38 transmits Ithe motion of either link 22 to the other link 22, both arms 20 move down simultaneously whichever knob 46 is twisted upon.

The tent shown in Fig. l includes a bag portion 48 formed of suitable gas impervious fabric to provide a back front wall 52, two side walls S4 and the bottom 56. n opening and sealing collar are provided at 58 so that only the head of the patient is contained in the tent. The bag 48 may include suitable loops or tubular beads 60 at the rim of the front and back walls through which the respective tu`bes38 and 16 may be threaded prior to the assembly of the frames thereto. By this construe# tron the bags may be removed for sterilization, and storage or replacement.

The form of the bag portion of the tent illustrated in represents that of previously known types as respects the neck opening at 58. In

in the form of a knob this end the collar 58 is designed for close contact with the vthroat of the patient. Because this contact is oftentimes undesirable I have altered the tent bag in this respect and for otherpurposes to the general pattern shown -fin Fig. -10 for `the uses illustrated lin Figs. 5 through9. f 'The .tent bag-of Figs. 5 through y1-0 has ybeen successfully vfabricated almost entirely 'from a transparent elastomeric compound in sheet formknown as vinyl-chlorideacetate copolymer. Transparency is vdesirable for -visi bility-ofthe patient yby attendance at a distance. This material Lis heat `vulcanizable, or Weldable Lby vhigh lfrequency electrostatic r`fields, is tough, only slightly elastic andfthereforefreadily deforma-somewhat from any natural shape which it tends to resume after releaseof all distortional1forces acting normal -to the sheet planes. The design for fabrication is illustrated by the isometric view in Fig. l'which shows the trapezoidal side walls 70 and 72 joined byA a rectangular bottom panel 74 (Fig. 9) and back wall 76. A front wall 78 is.formed by a convergent funnel'joined to lthe edges-of walls 70, 72, and bottom 74,.and toa tubular, preferablycylindrical, portion 80. The .bottom element of the portion 80, if a cylinder, is preferably positioned in theplane of the bottom 74, with the :corresponding elements `of the funnel are also Vso placed, as seen in Fig. S. The cylindrical portion 80 is found to .be satisfactory .when made about thirty-'two inches in circumferenceor about ten inches in diameter and abouteight inches long.

The tent bag, .being designed `for `use for adults, as well asifor infants and youths, has -attached to the other endof cylinder.80.a cape forming panel S2 shown rectangular. The central portion of the panel 82, within the .circular bond of it with cylinder 80 at 84, is'omitted tofprovide theopening-through which the head and neck of an adult may pass.

.In Vorder to .quickly and easily attach the bag, somewhat adjustably, to the four members forming the top rim of the frame the upper rim 86 of the bag is hemrned to :forman encircling tube S8 .for the threading therethrough `of a suitable closed elastic band or .drawstring 90. The bag ,rim'86 is inserted within the frame from below bar 38y and upwardlyinside the top frame members and the .bag rirn, with theadjoining part of the bag, is drawn outwardly over the .top of *and downwardly on the outside of vthe vframe members thus forming of the bag and rim an open channelentirely covering the fran-1e parts above the bag rim with the .fabric of the bag asis so as to leave the face relatively free of immediate contact with, or in proximity to, the portion 78. However, the panels are made substantially larger in area than the corresponding frame areas so that the bag will be full, allow considerable movement, and also permit a substantial bulge to remain as at 98 in Figs. 5 and 6.

In Figs. l, 5, and 6, itwill be seen that the frame col- 4 umns 10 are rigidly secured, as to the bed frame 100,-by

most clearly illustrated in Fig. 6. This leaves the bag entirely open at the top through the loop .formedby the frame.

As shown in Fig. 7, the tentbag portion sffolded upon itself and clamped at 80, as by ordinary clothespins7 thus forming a bag open only at the top, for receiving the entire body of an infant within it.

Asshown in Fig. 8, .the tubular .portion 80 is received about the abdomen of a youth, being vfolded longitudinally, as shown by the radial section of Fig. 8a, to form a seal with the body, retained by a suitable wrapper92. It will be understood that the Yeffectiveness of the seal is largely due to thelength of the portion 80, since .there is ample opportunity for a continuous contact with vthe body-.around this portion in the length of about eight inches. A lm of body moisture accumulates Vhere to complete the seal'. From the patients pointof view, the

sealing vat the abdomen is usually an advantage since the respiration is affected in no substantial degree and irritation is minimized. The panel 82 is not employed in'either ofthe Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 uses, though it will usually be present and forms no means of substantial discomfort to the patient.

In Fig. .9 the bag of Fig. l0 is shown as reformed-to accommodate itself to an adult patient. The two porltions of Acape 82 drape the chest and back and are tucked 1n 'overlapping relationship againstthe body beneath the arms. A suitable-strap 9.6 is drawn over the shoulders across the chest and back and over the folds. This forms an effective seal with the body over the shoulders and at the-high portion'of'the chest and below the throat, where no substantial restriction of respiration can occur. The portion 80 of the bag formsa very loose collar about the neck, folding to .accommodate itself to the patients neck without substantial resistance.

.It will be appreciated that the patient, in Figs. 5, 8 angd 9fmay-be mov ed.toward.the back L76 of=thetent-bag a suitable bracket 102.

It will be evident from Fig. 6 that, although the patients head has droppedrbelow the Vframe sills 12, the bottom 74 of the bag has been allowed to follow the bedding by allowing partial collapse of the frame edge. This same adjustment has permitted bulging of the bag in front of the patients face.

As shown in Fig. 5,v the panel 76 has been provided with a small hole 104 with a reenforced edge, through which a drainage tube 106 from an ice cooler 108 is passed. Usually an oxygen-delivery device, such as that described in my copending-application `tiled of even-date herewith, is placed'with the patient in the tent.

I claim: Y

l. A tent for administering respiratory treatment to a `patient vcomprising a ybag having -a bottom and side walls, -a back wall, an Aopen top, and a front wall, said front Wall having-a funnel portion part of which is disposed for extension of the bottom, a tubular portion, said funnel portion terminating in jointure with the tubular portion, a cape portion fixed to the tubular portion, a frame providing a generally rectangular rim for the reception of the bag top therewithin to be surrounded thereby, said lbag including means for engaging the frame rim to hold the bag in open condition, said frame further including a rigid portion `for fixedly positioning the rimof the back wallof the lbag and further including means for causing'the front and side Walls of the bag to be lowered and elevated with respect tothe back wall of the bag.

2. In a tent for receiving at least the head portion of the body of a patient in medical treatment, a bag having a bottom and side walls-and a rim portion surrounding a top:opening-of the-bag, and means for supporting said bag in either of two positions including a fully suspended position with'the bag rim about horizontal and in a partially collapsed position with a portion of the bag rim gravitally below the remainingportions of the rim.

3. A tent forreceiving at least the head portion of the body of a'patient undergoing medical treatment, said tent comprising a ybag like member of sheet material which ,is impervious to gas and which member provides an open top,fsaid tent being collapsible at the top-and including frame means engaging the member at the top and adapted for lowering .part of the top ofthe member at the opening, andmeans for positioning the lowered pcrtionfof :the member in the lowered position.

4. A tent for receiving a patient in medical treatment comprising `a frame and :a bag portion, said frame portion including a hingedsection having a bag rim engaging -portion adapted for .supporting the krim of the -bag in a generally horizontal and bag open position or for supporting-the bag with a portion ofthe bag rim lowered below .the remainder of therim with the bag open and with bag'walls gravitally suspended .from the bag rim, to .form kan opening Vsurrounded by thebag rim; said bag portion being formed of continuously flexible sheet material of i gas impervious .'quality.

5. .A tent for receiving 'a patient in medical treatment comprising, in combination: a frame portion and ya bag portion, said frame portion including a loop secured to said bag at the bag rim of the open end of thebag and being arrangedto supportthe bag walls in positions gravitally .suspended from the bag rim to form la. top opening in the -bag corresponding to the loop surrounded by the bag rim', said vframe further including means for dropping fa portion ofthe looprgand thebag rim to, and to support them in, Va position gravitally below the remainder of the rim between the bottom of the bag andthe remainder of the rim.

6. A tent, for administering medication to a patient, forming a-bag, saidbag having amain portion with an open top and side walls .and with a tubular lportion joined `at one vend to one yof .theside walls vand having a cape portion joined to the other end 4ofthe .tubular portion.

7. A tent for administering respiratory treatment to a patient comprising a bag having an opening and formed of gas impervious flexible sheet material having a bottom and continuous side walls including a funnel portion terminating in a tubular portion terminating in a cape portion, a frame having hinged arms for engaging the bag at the open end thereof, said frame including pairs of links joined to said arms for supporting the arms in either one of two positions.

8. A medication tent frame comprising two rigid side assemblies; each side assembly comprising a straight column having a straight sill secured at a right angle to the column at one end of the column and a straight beam secured perpendicularly to the column at the other end of the column with the sill and beam extending in the same plane from the column; means secured to the side assemblies at the ends of the columns providing rigid straight rod members joining the side assemblies with their planes in rigid parallel relation perpendicular to a common plane including the axes of the columns and with the sills and beams in juxtaposed relation; the beams being shorter than the sills; two like arms pivoted at one end on the beams and positionable in extension of the beams to extend a free end of the arms a substantial distance from the columns so that the ends of the arms adjoin the ends of the sills as respects their distances from the plane of the columns; two legs, each leg comprising a pair of links having knee joints, each link of each leg being pivoted respectively to the free end of the arm and to the free end of the sill, and the legs being constructed to assume knees-bent positions adjacent to the sill between the sill ends.

9. A construction as in claim 8, and means joining the ends of the arms to pivot together as a unit about their beam ends.

10. A medication tent frame comprising two rigid side assemblies; each assembly comprising a column having a sill secured at a right angle to the column at one end of the column and a straight beam secured perpendicular to the column at the other end of the column with the sill and the beam extending in the same plane from the column; means secured to the side assemblies adjoining the columns joining the side assemblies with their planes in parallel relation about perpendicular to the common plane of the columns and with the sills and beams in juxtaposed relation; the beams being shorter than the sills; two like arms pivoted at one end on the beams and positionable in extension of the beam to extend a free end of the arm a substantial distance from the column so that the ends of the arms adjoin the ends of the sills as respects their distances from the plane of the columns; two legs, each leg comprising a pair of links having knee joints, each link of each leg being pivoted respectively to the free end of the arm and to the free end of the sill, and the legs being constructed to assume knees-bent positions adjacent to the sill between the sill ends.

11. A construction as in claim 10, and means including a handle secured to the legs for causing the legs to bend the knees toward the columns.

12. A medication tent comprising, in combination: a

rigid frame member providing a loop to be disposed in a horizontal position; and having a hinged loop portion for shifting to a position below horizontal position; a highly exible bag-like member having an open top end providing a highly exible rim having a rim length substantially greater than the length of the loop formed by the frame member; the flexibility of the bag permitting the passage of the open end of the bag from beneath the loop through the loop and the folding of the bag rim over the outside of the loop for attachment thereto and support thereby.

13. A tent for a medical patient including a bag portion entirely of continuously ilexible sheet material having an open top, and a portion extending from a Wall at the bag bottom constructed and arranged to pass a portion of the patients body therethrough, said portion being adapted to fold upon itself and to form a closure of such passage upon itself by such folding; and a frame having a rigid loop attached to the rim of the open top of the bag portion, said frame including a portion hinged to the remainder; and means for changing the position of said portion and the position of the bag top supported thereby.

14. A tent for a medical bed patient including a bag portion having an open top, and a flexible tubular portion extending from a Wall of the bag and providing a passage from the outside to the inside of the bag for passing a portion of the body of a patient therethrough, the tubular portion being of continuously thin ilexible sheet material for folding upon itself and to afford maximum opportunity for a continuous contacting relation with the body of the patient over a large area; a frame having a loop portion; and means for attaching the entire rim of the open end of said bag portion to the loop portion for support of the bag rim thereby; the frame including a hinged portion whereby the portion of the bag rim supported by the hinged portion may be shifted thereby.

l5. A tent for a patient including a bag formed entirely of thin, tough, ilexible, vulcanizable transparent material providing for expansion into :a large cavity portion, and providing an open-ended sleeve-like portion extending from the large cavity portion for receiving the abdomen and/ or chest of a patient therein and the sleevelike portion being capable of being folded around the abdomen and/or chest to contacting relation of the Inaterial with the body entirely around the patient; a frame having a loop portion including a part hinged to the remainder of the loop, and means for attaching the rim of the open end of said bag portion to the loop portion.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,837,591 Shindel Dec. 22, 1931 1,971,408 Heidbrink Aug. 28, 1934 2,180,480 Richardson Nov. 21, 1939 2,190,867 Felciano Feb. 20, 1940 2,240,751 Boesger May 6, 1941 2,503,725 Greene Apr. 11, 1950 

